Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Instead of swimming or playing outside, I'd eat a bowl of ice cream and watch a holiday movie.

I'm reminded of my little Christmas-in-July tradition lately when I see white objects drifting slowly through a blue sky. The cottonwood trees have gone crazy the past few weeks and their fluff is flying everywhere.

It really does look like falling snow. So now I get a dose of winter in the summer—minus the cold and snow.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Do you ever have a weekend that goes just how you'd hoped it would? Well, that's what happened to me this weekend.

With my husband out of town, the pup and I took the opportunity to spend the weekend at my parents' house. And it was blissful!

Maybe it's because my parents' house will probably always feel more like home to me than anywhere else on earth. Or because my mom and dad spoil me with good food and great conversation whenever I'm there.

But it was more this weekend, too. We enjoyed gorgeous weather, which I took as a cue to do absolutely nothing. I lounged outside, swam, read magazines and napped.

And I took in the beautiful forests and fields that spread out behind my parents' backyard. Not a bad spot to spend a few days, eh?

Friday, June 19, 2009

I'm so excited for him. He gets to spend a weekend with his three best friends, guys he's known since his childhood. I hope they have the best time!

But I am going to miss him. I always sort of hate saying goodbye to him. My sister makes fun of the long goodbyes we have, even when it's just one of us running out to the store or heading in to work. But I like this little tradition of ours.

I love photos like this one—found on the lovely blog Wide Open Spaces—because there's so much emotion in them. And don't you just feel the emotions right along with them?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I just found some backyard inspiration photos that I downloaded from Domino before the website was dismantled. Gosh I miss that magazine and website. But I'm glad to see these pics again!

I love our backyard in large part because it is essentially a blank slate. It's a big fenced-in rectangle with grass in the middle and some trees, bushes and flowers along the edges. And we have a simple wood deck above.

Gardening and landscaping intimidates me a bit, so it's fun to look at photos of people who really do their yards up well.

I love the geometric planes and right angles -- not to mention the crisp white -- in this modern yard.

Isn't this deck sexy? It's perfectly bohemian and messy.

Maybe a yard needn't be more complicated than this. The simple, natural and utterly beautiful color palette is great.

Monday, June 15, 2009

I often have a difficult time getting out of bed in the morning. The combination of my husband, our dog, cozy covers and warmth are just too hard to give up!

So I'm proud of myself this morning because I got up early and went for a run. It wasn't a particularly long or good-looking burst of exercise, but I'm glad I did it. The air was cool, the early sun was shining and it was neat to see my neighborhood while it was still mostly asleep.

My old high school cross country coach once shared a quote about the greatest accomplishment in going running is the simple -- but often very difficult -- act of putting on the running shoes and stepping out the door. I agree with that sentiment this morning!

Just as I was getting tired, I heard the cruel sound of an alarm clock blaring out through a neighbor's window. And I felt so fortunate to have already gotten over the getting out of bed hurdle and to be out enjoying a beautiful morning.

But I'm hoping this whole getting up early and running thing gets easier as I do it more often!

Friday, June 5, 2009

My boss let me take home a bouquet of peonies from the office. They look gorgeous and smell divine. I might have discovered my new favorite flower!

I have to say, I might just have the best boss in the world. No, not just because she gives me flowers. But because it is so great -- and really quite rare, I think -- to work for someone you respect and admire both in and out of work. A person you can consider both a friend and a mentor.

She's taught me, shown me and given me so much. And now I can add beautiful pink flowers to that list!

There are three special girls in my life whom I've been friends with since the third grade.

The four of us have seen each other through ups and downs, phases, fashion choices good and bad, and many accomplishments. As we've spread out and moved around we've had as many girls' weekends around the country as we've been able to hold. And one amazing get-together took place yesterday and will continue this weekend.

I am so fortunate to have these smart, funny, beautiful, successful, kind and encouraging women in my life -- and I am confident that I always will.

Hello

I'm Katie, a girl who believes in being nice, appreciates simplicity and celebrates the small joys in life. This blog is where I collect inspirations on art, home, style, travel and the many, many things that bring a smile to my face.